Connector for toy track set

ABSTRACT

A connector for releasably coupling two track segments together, the connector having: a body portion having a perimeter defining a first portion and a second portion; a hook portion located within the perimeter and the second portion; and a protrusion extending from the first portion.

BACKGROUND

Play sets for toy vehicles are popular toys which are known to provide entertainment and excitement to a user. These play sets typically include a track configuration intended to guide a propelled toy vehicle, such as a 1/64 scale die-cast metal toy vehicle, through a course. The track configurations include closed-loop continuous track arrangements and open-end arrangements. Toy vehicles are placed on these play set tracks and propelled across the configuration by hand or by an external propulsion means.

To bring increased entertainment and excitement to play sets, track configurations may include features such as intersecting tracks, loop segments, and other types of track configurations.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a connector for use in connecting the features of the track sets.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one embodiment, a connector for releasably coupling two track segments together is provided. The connector having: a body portion having a perimeter defining a first portion and a second portion; a hook portion located within the perimeter and the second portion; and a protrusion extending from the first portion.

In another exemplary embodiment, a connector and a pair of track segments is provided. The connector having: a body portion having a perimeter defining a first portion and a second portion; a hanger portion located within the perimeter and the second portion; and a protrusion extending from the first portion. The first portion is configured to be slidably received within a pair of channels located on a lower surface of one of the pair of track segments and the second portion is configured to be slidably received within a pair of channels located on a lower surface of the other one of the pair of track segments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a connector in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a connector in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a connector in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an end perspective view of the connector illustrated in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a view along lines 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view along lines 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a view along lines 7-7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a view along lines 8-8 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 illustrates track segments configured for use with the connector illustrated in FIGS. 1-8;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are and perspective views of track segments configured for use with the connector illustrated in FIGS. 1-8; and

FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a connector for use in coupling track segments of a toy vehicle track set or play set together wherein the connector also has a dual function that allows the connector to serve as a hanging member which allows a track segment and any other components coupled thereto to be stored in a quick and convenient manner. Moreover, the connector is configured such that once the connector and its associated track segment are removed from storage a portion of the connector can be used to couple one track segment to another.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-8, various views of a connector 10 constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Connector 10 has a central body portion 12 having an upper surface 14 and a lower surface 16 opposite upper surface 14. In one non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the connector is used to releasably couple a pair of track segments 18 (FIG. 9) to each other.

In one non-limiting example, connector 10 is constructed out of an easily molded material, such as a plastic for example.

Connector 10 is configured to be slidably received within a pair of channels 20 located on a lower surface 22 of track segment 18 proximate to a distal end 24 of the track segment. In one embodiment, each of the track segments are configured to have an opening 26 proximate to distal end 24 such that a protrusion 28 of connector 10 can be releasably secured to a respective track segment via engagement of protrusion 28 in opening 26. In one embodiment, protrusion 28 depends upwardly away from upper surface 14. Of course, numerous other locations for protrusion 28 are contemplated to be within the scope of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Still further and referring at least to FIGS. 7 and 8, protrusion 28 is configured to have a chamfered surface 30 which facilitates engagement of connector 10 to track segment 18 as a portion of track connector 10 is inserted into the pair of channels 20.

In addition and in one embodiment, the lower surface 16 of the connector 10 is configured to have a plurality of protrusions are features 32 that are configured to provide frictional engagement of connector 10 to track segments 18. This frictional engagement will keep the connector 10 engaged with a track segment 18 and thus require a small removal force to disengage the connector 10 from a track segment 18. This feature is particularly useful where the portion of the connector 10 inserted into track segment 18 does not have a protrusion 28 configured to engage opening 26.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the connector 10 is configured to have a rectangular shape and has a first width “W” which corresponds to or is slightly smaller than a width “X” located between channels 20 of a track segment 18. The connector 10 further comprises a length “L” that is greater than width “W”. Accordingly and when the connector is received within a pair of track segments 18 and is used to couple them together, a first portion of the connector 10 is slidably received within a pair of channels 20 of a first track segment 18 while a remainder or second portion of the connector 10 is received slidably received within a pair of channels 20 of a second track segment 18.

Referring now to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector 10 is configured to have an integrally formed hook portion 34 that is located within a perimeter or periphery defined by the edges of the connector that define the length “L” and width “W” of the connector 10. Accordingly and when connector 10 is used to couple two track segments 18 together, hook portion 34 is completely received within a pair of channels 20 of a track segment 18 such that the hook portion 34 is located below a bottom surface 22 of the track segment 18. When two track segments 18 are coupled together by connector 10 no portion of the connector 10 extends away from the track segment (e.g., connector 10 is located between a pair of adjoining or coupled track segments).

In order to define hook portion 34 within the perimeter or periphery of connector 10, an opening 36 is provided. In one embodiment and as illustrated in at least FIGS. 1-4, the opening 36 extends from a peripheral edge of the connector can into a central area of the central or main body portion 12 of the connector 10. As illustrated, the opening may resemble an “L” shape such that hook portion 34 is configured to resemble a “J” hook shape.

Referring now to at least FIG. 1, the protrusion 28 is located on a first portion 38 (illustrated by the dashed lines) of the connector 10 while the hook portion 34 and opening 36 are located on a second portion 40 (illustrated by the dashed lines) of the connector 10. During use, the first portion 38 is configured to be received within a pair of channels 20 of the first track segment 18 such that protrusion 28 can be received within opening 26 of the track segment 18. Thereafter, the second portion 40 will protrude from the distal end 24 of the track segment 18. This second portion provides a dual feature of being received within a pair of channels 20 of a second track segment 18 in order to couple the first and second track segments together or alternatively, the second portion 40 via hook portion 34 can be used to hang the connector and the track segment coupled thereto from an object configured to be received within opening 36. This allows for storage of items coupled to the connector 10 on a hanger or other equivalent item such that the connector may be stowed in a closet or any other suitable location. Embodiments of the present invention provide still further advantages in enhancing play by allowing the user to use the hook portion 34 to elevate one end of the track segment 18 by coupling the same onto a structure such as a chair for example.

Accordingly, the second portion 40 which includes hook portion 34 can be used to store a track segment 18 coupled thereto in a convenient fashion such that when a user is ready to remove the track segment 18 from storage a user simply unhooks portion 34 from the object it is hanging from and simply inserts the second portion 40 into another track segment 18 thereby coupling to track segments 18 together. It is, of course, understood that while two track segments 18 are illustrated and discussed exemplary embodiments contemplate connectors 10 for use in connecting any two items together for example a track segment 18 and a base portion of a feature of a track set.

Numerous variations of the connector 10 are contemplated for example and in one non-limiting embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 12, the connector 10 can be configured to have hook portions 34 located on opposite sides of the connector 10. In this embodiment, the protrusion 28 is located in between the two hook portions 34. In yet another embodiment, the hook portion 34 can have different orientations than those illustrated in the attached FIGS. (e.g., opening 36 extending from other peripheral edge portions of the connector 10).

In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, connector 10 is contemplated for use with toy vehicle track sets or play sets wherein a plurality of track segments 18 or members are sized to receive toy vehicles, such as but not limited to 1/64 scale die-cast metal toy vehicles for example, wherein the track segments couple features of the play sets are track sets to each other in a manner so that objects (toy vehicles or other objects configured to be received upon the track segments) can traverse between the features. Accordingly, connector 10 provides advantages in facilitating the coupling of the track segments 18 to each other or other objects for use during play and also allows storage of the track segments 18 via connector 10 on item configured to be received within opening 36 when not in use.

It should be appreciated that while embodiments illustrates track segments 18 coupled to connector 10, this is for exemplary purposes and any pair of segments in a toy track play set may be coupled to the connector 10, such as but not limited to launchers, stunt elements other track portions and the like.

Embodiments of the present invention provide advantages in allowing assembly and storage of portions of a play set. Embodiments provide advantages in allowing the play set to be hung vertically in a storage location such as in a closet on a hanger rod. Embodiments provide further advantages in keeping pieces of the play set coupled together both during play and in storage. Embodiments provide still further advantages in allowing the user to elevate the track members during play.

Reference is also made to the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,766,720; 8,192,246; and 8,256,721 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/486,492 filed Jun. 1, 2012, the contents each of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

In the preceding detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. However, those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details, that the present invention is not limited to the depicted embodiments, and that the present invention may be practiced in a variety of alternative embodiments. Moreover, repeated usage of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Lastly, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used in the present application, are intended to be synonymous unless otherwise indicated. This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. 

1. A connector for releasably coupling two track segments together, the connector comprising: a body portion having a perimeter defining a first portion and a second portion; a hook portion located within the perimeter and the second portion; and a protrusion extending from the first portion.
 2. The connector as in claim 1, wherein the hook portion is configured to have a “J” shape.
 3. The connector as in claim 1, wherein the perimeter is defined by a length and width of the body portion and the length is greater than the width.
 4. The connector as in claim 1, wherein the body portion has an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the protrusion extends from the upper surface.
 5. The connector as in claim 1, wherein the protrusion has a chamfered surface.
 6. The connector as in claim 1, wherein the connector is formed from plastic.
 7. The connector as in claim 1, wherein the perimeter is defined by a length and width of the body portion and the length is greater than the width and the hook portion is partially defined by an opening that extends inwardly from the perimeter.
 8. The connector as in claim 7, wherein the opening is configured to have an “L” shape.
 9. The connector as in claim 8, wherein the hook portion is configured to have a “J” shape.
 10. The connector as in claim 7, wherein the body portion has an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the protrusion extends from the upper surface.
 11. The connector as in claim 10, wherein the protrusion has a chamfered surface and wherein the connector is formed from plastic.
 12. The connector as in claim 1, wherein the connector further comprises another hook portion located within the perimeter and wherein the hook portion and the another hook portion are located on opposite side of the connector.
 13. The connector as in claim 12, wherein the hook portion and the another hook portion are configured to have a “J” shape and wherein the perimeter is defined by a length and width of the body portion and the length is greater than the width.
 14. In combination, a connector for coupling a pair of track segments to each other, wherein the connector comprises: a body portion having a perimeter defining a first portion and a second portion; a hanger portion located within the perimeter and the second portion; and a protrusion extending from the first portion; and wherein the first portion is configured to be slidably received within a pair of channels located on a lower surface of one of the pair of track segments and the second portion is configured to be slidably received within a pair of channels located on a lower surface of the other one of the pair of track segments.
 15. The combination as in claim 14, wherein the hook portion protrudes from a distal end of one of the pair of track segments when the first portion is received within the pair of channels and the protrusion is received within an opening in the one of the pair of track segments.
 16. The combination as in claim 14, wherein the hook portion is configured to have a “J” shape.
 17. The combination as in claim 14, wherein the perimeter is defined by a length and width of the body portion and the length is greater than the width.
 18. The combination as in claim 17, wherein the body portion has an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the protrusion extends from the upper surface.
 19. The combination as in claim 18, wherein the lower surface has a plurality of protrusions configured to frictionally engage the pair of channels when the first portion is received within the pair of channels.
 20. The combination as in claim 14, wherein the protrusion has a chamfered surface and wherein the connector is formed from plastic. 